Efficient homes: how to heat your home with lower electricity and gas bills

Did you know that Portugal is the fifth European country where citizens find it more difficult to heat their homes? In fact, 19% of the population has financial difficulties keeping their homes at suitable temperatures in winter. But there are some measures that can be implemented that could help improve the energy performance of the home. All for energy efficiency. We explain everything about this topic in this week's article from Deco Alerta. Take note.

The Deco Alert is a weekly line to all consumers in Portugal which is ensured by Deco - Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection * for idealista/news.

Our apartment is very damp and cold. The windows are old and let in a lot of wind and cold air. So, to heat the house we use electric heaters, which means spending a lot on electricity. There are actually two problems! What advice and support can you give us on this matter?

As winter approaches and the temperature drops, most families face this nightmare. Portugal is the fifth European country where citizens find it more difficult to heat their homes: 19% of the population has financial difficulties in keeping their homes at temperatures suitable for winter. This situation mainly stems from the poor construction conditions of the buildings, which make them energy inefficient. There are also high energy prices, as well as other factors that complicate the situation.

But there are some measures you can implement in your home that can help improve the energy performance. Some of these measures require a higher investment (example: replacing windows or improving wall insulation), but there are also low cost measures, such as caulking windows and doors. Even for the highest investments, there are some support programs that you can make use of, such as the More Sustainable Buildings Program from the Environmental Fund. In the Deco Energy Advice Office we can explain to you how you can ask for this support.

On the other hand, it is also necessary to check if the contract you have is the most suitable for your consumption. There are contract and even vendor changes that you could make that could bring some savings. 

If you need help in this area, schedule an appointment with the Deco Energy Advisory Office now. Remember, when you are talking to the technician it is important that you have a recent electricity and/or gas bill with you. 

What is the social energy tariff?

The social energy tariff is also an important support that you should check if you can benefit from, or if you already have this discount applied to your energy bill. 

The social energy tariff is a social support that consists of a discount on the tariff for access to low voltage electricity and/or low pressure natural gas networks, which makes up the final price billed to the consumer. Since 2016, access to the social tariff for electricity and natural gas started to be carried out through an automatic mechanism.

What are the conditions to benefit from the social tariff?

Electricity:

You must have the electric energy supply contract in your name, intended exclusively for domestic use in permanent housing, with an electric power contracted at normal low voltage equal to or less than 6.9 kVA, and receive one of the following supports from Social Security:

1. Solidarity supplement for the elderly;
2. Social insertion income;
3. Unemployment social benefit;
4. Family allowance;
5. Social disability pension;
6. Old age social pension.

Natural gas:

You must have a natural gas supply contract in your name, intended exclusively for domestic use in permanent housing, at low pressure, with annual consumption less than or equal to 500 m3, and receive one of the following support from Social Security:

1. Solidarity supplement for the elderly;
2. Social insertion income;
3. Unemployment social benefit;
4. Family allowance (first step);
5. Social disability pension.

If you want to know more about these supports or other measures to better manage your energy consumption, schedule a counseling session with the Deco Energy Advice Office. Contacts for scheduling: 213 710 200 or energia@deco.pt . 

You have our support.

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